Adaptor for a Drug Delivery Device and Drug Delivery Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to adaptor ( 30 ) for a drug delivery device having a reservoir ( 12 ) and a longitudinal tip ( 20 ), the adaptor ( 30 ) comprising a distal part defining a connecting ring ( 31 ) intended to receive a connector, and a proximal part defining a mounting ring ( 33 ) having an inner surface ( 34 ), the mounting ring ( 33 ) being shaped and configured such that, when the adaptor ( 30 ) is mounted around the longitudinal tip ( 20 ) of the drug delivery device, at least one annular space ( 38 ) is created between said inner surface ( 34 ) of the mounting ring ( 33 ) and said outer surface ( 20   a ) of the longitudinal tip ( 20 ), said at least one annular space ( 38 ) being able to accommodate an adhesive layer ( 40 ) in order to bond said adaptor ( 30 ) to said longitudinal tip. The invention further relates to a drug delivery device comprising such an adaptor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adaptor, in particular a luer lockadaptor for use with a drug delivery device having a reservoir and alongitudinal tip, the adaptor being able to be bonded around thelongitudinal tip of the drug delivery device in order to connect thedrug delivery device with a connector such as an injection needle or anintravenous line. The present invention also relates to a drug deliverydevice comprising such an adaptor.

In this application, the distal end of a component or apparatus must beunderstood as meaning the end furthest from the hand of the user and theproximal end must be understood as meaning the end closest to the handof the user, with reference to the drug delivery device intended to beused with said component or apparatus. As such, in this application, thedistal direction must be understood as the direction of injection withreference to the drug delivery device, and the proximal direction is theopposite direction to said direction of injection.

Drug delivery devices are widely used by medical staff and patients tostore and/or administer and/or transfer medical compositions such asdrugs, vaccines, cosmetics or diagnostics liquids. They can take theform of a cartridge or a syringe, both types of devices comprising areservoir for storing the medical composition. Drug delivery devices arepreferably made of glass for its high chemical passivity, its low gaspermeability and high transparency, which allows an extended storage andan easy inspection. Drug delivery devices such as syringes comprise alongitudinal tip at their distal end (the extremity in the direction ofinjection, close to the patient skin), the longitudinal tip having alongitudinal channel for dispensing any material stored in thereservoir. However, this longitudinal tip does not allow parenteraladministration by itself and must either comprise a staked needle or anadaptor allowing the connection of the syringe to a connector such as aneedle hub or an intravenous (IV) line. Such an adaptor is a criticalpart for the safety of the injection and must be reversibly connectableto connectors and irreversibly secured to the longitudinal tip of thesyringe. Indeed, it is essential for safety reasons that the adaptor andthe connector are assembled together correctly and securely on thelongitudinal tip of the syringe.

Connection of the adaptor with a connector is usually achieved by twocooperating threads, one being located on the inside of the adaptor andanother one being located outside the proximal part of the connector, sothat the needle or the intravenous line can be screwed into the adaptorprior to the injection. However, screwing of these two parts togetheroften results in a significant pullout force between the tip and theadaptor, as some connectors apply a pressure on the tip and a counterpressure on the adaptor to achieve tight sealing. In addition, when aviscous drug is injected, a pullout force applied to the adaptor iscreated, as the connector inner diameter is smaller than the diameter ofthe tip longitudinal channel. Both phenomena may lead to thedisconnection of the adaptor from the drug delivery device, which mayaffect patient and medical staff safety.

Finally, securely screwing the connector often results in applying asignificant torque to the connector, the torque being transmitted to theadaptor; resulting in a risk that the adaptor ends rotate around thelongitudinal tip. This may prevent a secured connection of the connectorto the adaptor as it becomes difficult to ensure that the connector isfully screwed into the adaptor. Consequently, the connection between theadaptor and the longitudinal tip of the syringe has to resist againstthe pullout force as well as against the torque applied at the time ofconnection with a connector and/or at the time of injection. Indeed, thepullout of the adaptor from the syringe tip may lead to leakage ofexpensive medical composition but also to a non-accurate injection doseor, in extreme case, to projection of the drug or projection of theinjection needle. Moreover, rotation of the adaptor with respect to thelongitudinal tip may prevent an optimal connection with the connectorand thus may also lead to leakages and/or needle stick injuries, asalready mentioned.

Adaptors for connecting a drug delivery device to a connector are wellknown. These adaptors are usually secured around the longitudinal tip ofthe syringe by snap-fitting or friction force, for example by mechanicalattaching means defined onto the longitudinal tip such as a groove or aring. However, the incorporation of such attachment features on thelongitudinal tip would require a complex molding tool in the case of aplastic drug delivery device or an additional forming step in the caseof a glass drug delivery device, which may be difficult to control.Furthermore, a modified longitudinal tip may be sensitive to flaws andmay potentially lead to tip breakage. Last but not least, an adaptorconnected around a longitudinal tip by snap-fitting or friction forceoften demonstrates a limited torque resistance.

There is therefore a need for an adaptor showing both an optimal pulloutforce and torque resistance. There is also a need for an adaptor that isable to be mounted on a regular longitudinal tip without any furtherattaching means. There is finally a need for a drug delivery deviceprovided with such adaptor. These needs are fulfilled by embodiments ofthe present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is an adaptor for a drug deliverydevice having a reservoir and a longitudinal tip, the longitudinal tiphaving an outer surface and a longitudinal channel for dispensing anymaterial stored into the reservoir. The adaptor comprises a distal partdefining a connecting ring intended to receive a connector, and aproximal part defining a mounting ring having an inner surface. Themounting ring is shaped and configured such that, when the adaptor ismounted around the longitudinal tip of the drug delivery device, anannular space is created between said inner surface of the mounting ringand said outer surface of the longitudinal tip, the annular space beingfurther able to accommodate an adhesive layer in order to bond saidadaptor to said longitudinal tip. An annular ring is provided at thedistal extremity of the inner surface of the mounting ring.

Due to the annular space, in partly delimited by the annular ring, anadhesive layer introduced between the adaptor and the longitudinal tipallows for resisting any torque or pullout force submitted to theadaptor during use. Moreover, such an adaptor may be irreversibly bondedto a regular longitudinal tip, which is a longitudinal tip without anyattaching means such as a groove or a ring.

In particular, in the adaptor of the invention, R1 being the radius ofan inner diameter of the mounting ring and R2 being the radius of aninner diameter of the annular ring, R1 is greater than R2.

An aspect of the invention is an adaptor for a drug delivery devicehaving a reservoir and a longitudinal tip, the tip having an outersurface and a longitudinal channel for dispensing any material storedinto the reservoir, the adaptor comprising a distal part defining aconnecting ring intended to receive a connector, and a proximal partdefining a mounting ring intended to be connected to the outer surfaceof the longitudinal tip, said mounting ring having an inner surface,wherein an annular ring is provided at a distal extremity of the innersurface of the mounting ring, wherein R1 being the radius of an innerdiameter of the mounting ring and R2 being the radius of an innerdiameter of the annular ring, R1 is greater than R2.

The inner surface of the mounting ring and a proximal wall of theannular ring therefore define an inner annular recess of the mountingring, said inner annular recess being open at its proximal end andclosed at its distal end by the proximal wall of the annular ring. Theinner annular recess has a radius R3 corresponding to R1-R2.

When the adaptor of the invention is mounted around the longitudinal tipof the drug delivery device, the inner annular recess allows creating anannular space between the inner surface of the mounting ring and theouter surface of the longitudinal tip. As will appear from thedescription below, the annular space is able to accommodate an adhesivelayer in order to bond the adaptor to the longitudinal tip. Inembodiments, the inner surface of the mounting ring comprises at leastone protrusion such that, when the adaptor is mounted around thelongitudinal tip of the drug delivery device, said at least oneprotrusion protrudes into said at least one annular space. In apreferred embodiment, the inner surface of the mounting ring comprisesprotrusions such that, when the adaptor is mounted around thelongitudinal tip of the drug delivery device, the protrusions protrudeinto the annular space created between the mounting ring and thelongitudinal tip. These protrusions may or may not contact the outersurface of the longitudinal tip and are intended to optimize the annularspace in particular when it accommodates an adhesive layer. Inparticular, the protrusions are intended to optimize the inner structureof the inner annular recess and of the annular space, by creating withinsaid inner annular recess and said annular space a plurality of partlyseparated volumes communicating with one another and each capable ofreceiving part of the adhesive intended to form the adhesive layer.

In embodiments, said at least one protrusion is chosen among, at leastone continuous longitudinal rib, at least one segmented rib, transversalsegments, at least one diagonal rib, bulbs or cylinders, T or crosses.The protrusions may consist in a variety of shapes, such as continuousor segmented longitudinal ribs, transversal segments, diagonal ribs,bulbs or crosses, at least one protrusion being required. Theprotrusions create volumes that communicate with one another so that,when a fluid adhesive is introduced in the annular space by the openproximal end of the inner annular recess, the adhesive flows and spreadsso as to fill the plurality of volumes forming the annular space. Whenan adhesive layer is accommodated in the annular space, continuous orsegmented longitudinal ribs provide an additional resistance to a torqueapplied onto the adaptor, while transversal segments bring an additionalresistance to a pull out force applied to the adaptor. Diagonal ribs,bulbs and/or crosses bring an additional resistance to both torque andpull out force.

In embodiments, the inner surface of the mounting ring comprisesprotrusions in the form of longitudinal ribs. For example, the innersurface of the mounting ring comprises protrusions in the form of threelongitudinal ribs projecting from the inner surface of the mountingring. The longitudinal ribs may be regularly placed along acircumference of the inner surface. The longitudinal ribs may extend onthe whole length of the mounting ring. In embodiments, the longitudinalribs are continuous longitudinal ribs. In embodiments, the longitudinalribs are segmented longitudinal ribs. Continuous or segmentedlongitudinal ribs may provide an additional resistance to a torqueapplied onto the adaptor when the adaptor is bonded to the longitudinaltip of the drug delivery device.

In embodiments, the inner surface of the mounting ring comprisesprotrusions in the form of transversal segments. Transversal segmentsmay bring an additional resistance to a pull out force applied to theadaptor, when the adaptor is bonded to the longitudinal tip of the drugdelivery device.

In embodiments, the inner surface of the mounting ring comprisesprotrusions in the form of three diagonal ribs. In embodiments, theinner surface of the mounting ring comprises protrusions in the form ofbulbs or cylinders. In embodiments, the inner surface of the mountingring comprises protrusions in the form of T or crosses.

The annular ring is useful to prevent adhesive from reaching the distalportion of the longitudinal tip, which thus remains clean for futuremedical use. In addition, the annular ring may be helpful as a centeringmeans during the assembly of the adaptor of the present invention to thelongitudinal tip of a drug delivery device.

In embodiments, wherein R1 being the radius of an inner diameter of themounting ring and R2 being the radius of an inner diameter of theannular ring, R1 being greater than R2, the inner surface of themounting ring and a proximal wall of the annular ring define an innerannular recess of the mounting ring, said inner annular recess beingopen at its proximal end and closed at its distal end by the proximalwall of the annular ring, said inner annular recess has a radius R3corresponding to R1-R2, wherein R3 ranges from 0.3 to 0.5 mm.

In embodiments where the inner surface of the mounting ring comprisesprotrusions, the protrusions protrude into said inner annular recess ofsaid mounting ring.

The adaptor is preferably made of a single piece of material to ensureoptimal strength. Rigid plastic may be a material of choice for the samereason. Optionally, the adaptor may be made of a light-transmittingmaterial to allow the detection of leaks and/or weak connections, when aconnector is connected to the adaptor.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a drug delivery devicecomprising a reservoir for storing a material to be dispensed and alongitudinal tip having a longitudinal channel for dispensing anymaterial stored in the reservoir. The drug delivery device furthercomprises an adaptor mounted around the longitudinal tip to allow theconnection of a connector with the longitudinal channel, the adaptorbeing bonded to the longitudinal tip by an adhesive layer. This adhesivelayer brings significant improvements when compared to prior-artadaptors. In particular, it allows reaching a high resistance to thetorque and the pullout force applied to the adaptor. Furthermore, anirreversible bonding of the adaptor to the longitudinal tip of the drugdelivery device may be achieved without any need of further attachingmeans. This avoids an additional manufacturing step to create attachingmeans and prevents weakening of the longitudinal tip, in particular whenthe drug delivery device is made of glass.

When the inner surface of the adaptor mounting ring comprisesprotrusions, these protrusions optimize the adherence strength of theadhesive layer in order to obtain improved resistance to the pull outforce and/or the torque. The homogeneity of the adhesive layer may alsobe optimized due to these protrusions.

Before being used, a drug delivery device provided with an adaptoraccording to the present invention may be closed by a tip cap in orderto prevent the stored material from escaping the reservoir duringstorage and transportation. Examples of such tip caps are described inthe International application WO2015055608 and European patentEP1192965. Preferably, a drug delivery device closed by such a tip capmay have evidence of prior use means to make visible if such a drugdelivery device has already been opened and is unsafe for injection.Such evidence of prior use means may comprise a shrinkable film such asdisclosed in International application WO2010064074, or breakable tabsbetween the tip cap and the adaptor.

The adaptor bonded to the longitudinal tip of the drug delivery deviceshows a significant resistance to torque and pullout force that may beapplied during handling and/or use.

Other advantageous embodiments of the present invention are describedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 discloses a drug delivery device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a magnified view of the longitudinal tip of a drug deliverydevice according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 discloses a cross-section view of an adaptor according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 discloses a rear view of the adaptor of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 discloses a perspective back view of the adaptor of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the adaptor of FIG. 3 when assembledon a longitudinal tip of a drug delivery device.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of the adaptor of FIG. 6 along the planeI-I′.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are cross-section views of different examples of theadaptor of FIG. 3 assembled on the longitudinal tip of the drug deliverydevice of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the adaptor of FIG. 3 bonded to thelongitudinal tip of a drug delivery device.

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the adaptor of FIG. 9 along the planeII-II′.

FIGS. 11A-11F are the flat projections of the inner surface of themounting rings of adaptors according to different embodiments of theadaptor of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 discloses an example of a drug delivery device 10 according tothe present invention. The drug delivery device 10 has a longitudinalaxis A and comprises a longitudinal barrel 11 defining a reservoir 12,the longitudinal barrel 11 having an open proximal end defining a flange13 and a restricted distal end defining a longitudinal tip 20 with alongitudinal channel 21. The boundary between the longitudinal tip 20and the barrel 11 defines a shoulder 14. An adaptor 130 having alongitudinal axis B and an annular ring 136 is mounted around thelongitudinal tip 20 in such a way that an annular space 138 is createdbetween the adaptor 130 and the longitudinal tip 20. Besides, anadhesive layer 40 is accommodated into the annular space 138 so as tobond the adaptor 130 onto the longitudinal tip 20. With reference toFIG. 1, when the adaptor 130 is bonded onto the longitudinal tip 20, thelongitudinal axis B of the adaptor 130 is aligned on the longitudinalaxis A of the drug delivery device 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, the longitudinal tip 20 of the drug delivery device10 has an outer surface 20 a and globally a conical shape. Moreprecisely, it comprises a cylindrical portion 22, located proximally toa conical portion 23. The longitudinal tip 20 defines a distal surface24 that may be flat, beveled or curved. In another embodiment (as shownin FIG. 8C), the longitudinal tip 20 only comprises a conical portion 23without any cylindrical portion 22.

An adaptor 130 according to a first embodiment of the present inventionis disclosed in FIGS. 3 to 5.

The adaptor 130 comprises a distal part 130 a, defining a connectingring 131 having an inner surface 132. The inner surface 132 is providedwith a thread 132 a as a connecting member able to connect a connector(not shown), such as a needle or an intravenous line. Alternatively,these connecting members could be a bayonet system or a snapping system(not shown). The distal end of the connecting ring 131 defines thedistal end 130 c of the adaptor 130.

The adaptor 130 further comprises a proximal part 130 b with a mountingring 133 defining an inner surface 134. The inner surface 134 of themounting ring 133 of the adaptor 130 is provided with protrusions in theform of three longitudinal ribs 135 projecting from the inner surface134 of the mounting ring 133 (only one is visible in FIG. 3).Preferably, the longitudinal ribs 135 are regularly placed along acircumference of the inner surface 134. Preferably, the longitudinalribs 135 extend on the whole length of the mounting ring 133. On theexample shown, the longitudinal ribs 135 are continuous longitudinalribs.

Additionally, an annular ring 136 is further defined at the distalextremity of the inner surface 134, at the boundary between the mountingring 133 and the connecting ring 131. In FIGS. 3 to 5, said annular ring136 contacts the longitudinal ribs 135, however in other examples, thelongitudinal ribs 135 may be proximally spaced from the annular ring136.

With reference to FIG. 3, are shown the radius R1 of an inner diameterof the mounting ring 133 and the radius R2 of an inner diameter of theannular ring 136. As appears from this figure, R1 is greater than R2.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the inner surface 134 of the mounting ring133 and a proximal wall 136 a of the annular ring 136 therefore definean inner annular recess 140 of the mounting ring 133, said inner annularrecess 140 being open at its proximal end and closed at its distal endby the proximal wall 136 a of the annular ring 136. The inner annularrecess 140 has a radius R3 corresponding to R1-R2.

In embodiments, R3 ranges from 0.3 to 0.5 mm.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the longitudinal ribs 135 protrude into theinner annular recess 140.

On its outer surface, the adaptor 130 may have an embossed design,showing for example more or less thick longitudinal projections 137 (seeFIG. 5) in order, for instance, to ease its gripping. The longitudinalprojections 137 present on the outer surface of the adaptor as shown inFIG. 5, are an example of an embossed design intended to provide an easyhandling of the adaptor 130 by the user when a connector is about to bescrewed onto the drug delivery device of the present invention, evenwith gloves or wet hands.

The adaptor 130 can be made of any rigid polymer adapted to medical use,such as high density polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP),polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),polyoxymethylene (POM), polystyrene (PS), polybutylene terephthalate(PBT), polyamide (PA), and combinations thereof. To simplify itsmanufacturing, the adaptor 130 preferably consists of a single piece ofmaterial, preferably of a light-transmitting material.

The adaptor 130 is intended to be mounted on the longitudinal tip 20 ofa drug delivery device 10, such that the distal surface 24 of said drugdelivery device 10 extends further from the connecting ring 131 in thedistal direction, in particular of a distance P (see FIGS. 6 and 9). Asshown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8A-8C, the mounting ring 133 is shaped andconfigured such as to create an annular space 138 between the innersurface 134 of the mounting ring 133 and the outer surface 20 a of thelongitudinal tip 20. This annular space 138 is able to accommodate anadhesive layer 40 in order to irreversibly bond the adaptor 130 to thelongitudinal tip 20. In particular, the inner annular recess 140 of themounting ring 133 allows creating said annular space 138.

In FIG. 8A, the mounting ring 33 is mounted on the cylindrical portion22 of the tip 20, the conical portion 23 of the conical tip beingavailable for any connection. The longitudinal ribs 135 and the annularring 136 may or may not be in contact with the outer surface 20 a of thelongitudinal tip 20. Preferably, at least one of the longitudinal ribs135 or the annular ring 136 is in contact with the outer surface 20 a ofthe longitudinal tip 20. If required, at least one of the longitudinalribs 135 or the annular ring 136 may show an interference-fit with theouter surface 20 a of the longitudinal tip 20. For example in FIG. 6,the interference fit between the annular ring 136 and the outer surface20 a of the longitudinal tip 20 is represented on the FIGS. 6 and 7 asan overlap OV of the annular ring on the longitudinal tip 20. Thisinterference fit may be useful for a friction force pre-assembly of theadaptor 130 onto the longitudinal tip 20 before irreversible bondingwith an adhesive layer 40. As visible in FIG. 7, an overlap OV betweenthe longitudinal ribs 135 and the outer surface 20 a of the longitudinaltip 20 is visible and may also be useful for a friction forcepre-assembly. As shown in FIG. 7, the longitudinal ribs 135 segment theinner annular recess 140, and the longitudinal ribs 135 thereforesegment the annular space 138 into three cavities (138 a, 138 b, 138 c),each cavity having a proximal opening and being closed by twolongitudinal ribs 135 and a portion of the annular rib 136.

Alternatively, the mounting ring 133 of the adaptor 130 may be mountedon the cylindrical portion 22 and the conical portion 23 of thelongitudinal tip 20. As visible in FIG. 8B, the longitudinal ribs 135may face or contact the cylindrical portion 22 while the annular ring136 may face or contact the conical portion 23 of the longitudinal tip20. In this FIG. 8B, the annular ring 136 and the longitudinal ribs 135do not contact with each other and are separated by a void space VS.Such a configuration may be useful to expand the area of the annularspace 138 in which the adhesive layer 40 is intended to be accommodated.In other words, with such a configuration, an adhesive layer 40 with alarger area may be accommodated between the outer surface 20 a of thelongitudinal tip 20 and the inner surface 134 of the mounting ring 133,when compared to the example of FIG. 8A. Preferably, the inner surface134 of the mounting ring 133 is substantially parallel to the outersurface 20 a of the longitudinal tip 20, such as to create an annularspace 138 with a constant thickness (t), as visible in FIGS. 8A and 8B.In such cases where the inner surface 134 of the mounting ring 133 issubstantially parallel to the outer surface 20 a of the longitudinal tip20, and the annular space 138 has a constant thickness (t), the volumeof the annular space 138 may be substantially equal to the volume of theinner annular recess 140.

In another alternative shown in FIG. 8C, the longitudinal tip 20 is notprovided with a cylindrical portion 22 but only with a conical portion23. In this example, the inner surface 134 of the mounting ring 133 hasa straight profile while the outer surface 20 a of the longitudinal tip20 has a sloped profile, thus creating an annular space 138 with aprogressive thickness (t′). In such a case, the volume of the annularspace 138 may be substantially less than the volume of the inner annularrecess 140 of the mounting ring 133.

For example, for bonding the adaptor 130 to the longitudinal tip 20, anadhesive is introduced in the annular space 138. Due to the longitudinalribs 135, the adhesive is homogeneously distributed into the annularspace 138 to form a uniform adhesive layer 40 (see FIGS. 9 and 10)segmented by said longitudinal ribs 135. The annular ring 136 may act asa barrier for the adhesive as it prevents the adhesive from reaching thedistal portion of the longitudinal tip 20 which thus remains clean forfuture medical usage. The adhesive may be dispensed onto the adaptor130, prior or posterior to the adaptor being positioned around thelongitudinal tip 20.

The adhesive may be any material adapted to bond parts in the medicalfield. In particular, the adhesive may be chosen between a hot-meltadhesive and glue, for example glue with an acrylate base. The bondingarea may be comprised between 20 to 40 mm² and the thickness of theadhesive layer 40 may be comprised between 0.3 and 0.5 mm.

The adhesive may be cured by any method adapted to form an adhesivelayer 40 (see FIG. 9-10) permanently bonded to the outer surface 20 a ofthe longitudinal tip 20 and to the inner surface 134 of the adaptor 130.The curing method may be selected according to the specific type ofadhesive used and may be chosen among gamma-irradiation, UV-irradiation,heat curing, cooling or drying, and the like. Prior to this curing step,the interference fit between the outer surface 20 a of the longitudinaltip 20 and the annular ring 136 and/or the longitudinal ribs 135 may beuseful to temporarily maintain the adaptor 130 onto the longitudinal tip120 at the correct position, thus avoiding any disconnection due to thevibrations generated by the assembly process.

At the end of this assembly process, the adaptor 130 is irreversiblybonded to the longitudinal tip 120 of a drug delivery device 110 by anadhesive layer 40 accommodated into an annular space 138, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10. Due to this adhesive layer 40, the adaptor 130 may bebonded around the longitudinal tip 20 without any need for a groove or aring on the outer surface 20 a of the longitudinal tip 20 as it wouldotherwise normally be required by the adaptors of the prior art. Thisgreatly simplifies the manufacturing process of such a drug deliverydevice, especially for glass-made drug delivery devices. Furthermore,the chemical bonding obtained with the presence of the adhesive layer 40allows for reaching a superior resistance to the torque and to thepullout force that is usually applied to the adaptor 130 when aconnector is connected to the connecting ring 131 of the adaptor 130.

Referring to FIG. 10, the adhesive layer 40 is segmented by thelongitudinal ribs 135 into three portions (40 a, 40 b, 40 c), whichallow resisting the important torque applied when a connector isconnected to the drug delivery device 10 via the adaptor 130. When sucha torque is applied, the longitudinal ribs 135 reduce the shear stressbetween the adhesive and either the outer surface 20 a of thelongitudinal tip 120 or the inner surface 134 of the mounting ring 133of the adaptor 130. The longitudinal ribs 135 thus act as mechanicalstops by blocking any potential rotational movement of the adaptor 130against the adhesive layer 40 which contributes to increase the torqueresistance of an adaptor 130 bonded to the longitudinal tip 20 of a drugdelivery device 10 by an adhesive layer 40.

In other embodiments, the protrusions may adopt other shapes to achievedifferent technical effects. FIG. 11A represents the flat projection ofthe inner surface 134 of the mounting 133 of the adaptor 130 accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 3-5) and isgiven for reference.

FIG. 11B shows the flat projection of the inner surface 234 of themounting ring 233 of an adaptor 230 according to another embodiment ofthe present invention. This adaptor 230 is similar to the previouslydescribed adaptor 130 and differs in that the inner surface 234comprises protrusions in the form of segmented longitudinal ribs 235.Such protrusions 235 may be useful to optimize the homogeneity of theadhesive layer 40 in the second step of the bonding process aspreviously described. As shown in FIG. 11B, an annular ring 236 isprovided at the distal extremity of the inner surface 234 of themounting ring 233.

FIG. 11C represents the flat projection of the inner surface 334 of themounting ring 333 of an adaptor 330 according to another embodiment ofthe present invention. This adaptor 330 is similar to the previouslydescribed adaptor 130 but differs in that the inner surface 334 isprovided with protrusions in the form of transversal segments 335. Suchprotrusions 335 may be useful to reduce the shear stress between theadhesive and the inner surface 334 or the outer surface 20 a of thelongitudinal tip 20 when the adaptor 330 is submitted to a pulloutforce, for example when a connector is connected to the connecting ring331. When the adaptor 330 is assembled onto the longitudinal tip 20 of adrug delivery device 10 by an adhesive layer 40, the transversalsegments 335 may thus act as mechanical stops by blocking any potentialpullout movement of the adaptor 330 against the adhesive layer 40 whichcontributes to increase the pullout resistance of the adaptor 330. Asshown in FIG. 11C, an annular ring 336 is provided at the distalextremity of the inner surface 334 of the mounting ring 333.

FIG. 11D represents the flat projection of the inner surface 434 of themounting ring 433 of an adaptor 430 according to another embodiment ofthe present invention. This adaptor 430 is similar to the previouslydescribed adaptor 130 but differs in that the inner surface 434 isprovided with protrusions in the form of three diagonal ribs 435, atleast one diagonal rib 435 being required. Because of their diagonalpositioning, such protrusions 435 may be useful to provide for amechanical stop blocking both pullout movements and torque when theadaptor 430 is bonded by an adhesive layer 40 to the longitudinal tip 20of a drug delivery device 10. Such protrusions 435 may also help toobtain a homogeneous adhesive layer 40, for example by a rotation of theadaptor 430 during the introduction of the adhesive in the second stepof the above-described assembly process. As shown in FIG. 11D, anannular ring 436 is provided at the distal extremity of the innersurface 434 of the mounting ring 433.

FIG. 11E is the flat projection of the inner surface 534 of the mountingring 533 of an adaptor 530 according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. This adaptor 530 is similar to the previouslydescribed adaptor 130 but differs in that the inner surface 534 isprovided with protrusions in the form of bulbs or cylinders 535.Similarly to the diagonal ribs 435, the bulbs 535 may be useful toprovide for a mechanical stop blocking both pullout movements and torquewhen the adaptor 530 is bonded by an adhesive layer 40 to thelongitudinal tip 20 of a drug delivery device 10. Such protrusions 535may also help to obtain a homogeneous adhesive layer 40, for example bydistributing the adhesive by percolation in the annular space 438 in thesecond step of the above-mentioned process. As shown in FIG. 11E, anannular ring 536 is provided at the distal extremity of the innersurface 534 of the mounting ring 533.

FIG. 11F is the flat projection of the inner surface 634 of the mountingring 633 of an adaptor 630 according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. This adaptor 630 is similar to the previouslydescribed adaptor 130 but differs in that the inner surface 634 isprovided with protrusions in the form of T or crosses 635. Similarly tothe diagonal ribs 435 and the bulbs 535, the crosses 635 may be usefulto provide for a mechanical stop in order to block both pulloutmovements and torque when the adaptor 630 is bonded by an adhesive layer40 to the longitudinal tip 20 of a drug delivery device 10. As shown inFIG. 11F, an annular ring 636 is provided at the distal extremity of theinner surface 634 of the mounting ring 633.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 11B to 11F, the protrusions (235, 335, 435,535, 635) protrude in the respective corresponding annular space createdbetween the inner surfaces (234, 334, 434, 534, 634) and the outersurface of the longitudinal tip, and may or may not contact the outersurface 20 a of the longitudinal tip 20, when the corresponding adaptors(230, 330, 430, 530, 630) are bonded to the longitudinal tip 20 of adrug delivery device 10. Furthermore, these embodiments are providedwith an annular rib similar to the annular rib 136 of the adaptor 130.As applicable, all individual features that are shown in the individualembodiments can be combined and/or exchanged with each other withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

The annular space created between the mounting ring of the adaptor andthe outer surface 20 a of the longitudinal tip 20 may thus be optimizedby protrusions to provide for an additional resistance to pullout and/ortorque of the adhesive layer 40. Furthermore, some protrusions may alsohelp for the homogeneity of the adhesive layer 40, thus avoidingweaknesses in the adhesive layer 40.

Moreover, with the adaptors according to the above-mentionedembodiments, the longitudinal tip 20 of the drug delivery device 10 isnot required to define further attaching means such as an annular grooveor a ring, which may be difficult to manufacture, in particular in thecase of glass-made drug delivery devices. Finally, as the glass formingprocess may lead to important dimensional tolerances, specifically atthe shoulder 14 between the longitudinal barrel 11 and the longitudinaltip 20, it is particularly valuable that the adaptor is exclusivelybonded around the longitudinal tip 20, without any direct contact withthe longitudinal barrel 11 of the drug delivery device 10.

1. An adaptor for a drug delivery device having a reservoir and alongitudinal tip having an outer surface and a longitudinal channels fordispensing any material stored into the reservoir, the adaptorcomprising: a distal part defining a connecting ring; a proximal partdefining a mounting ring having an inner surface; and an annular ringbetween the connecting ring and the mounting ring, wherein with theadaptor mounted around the longitudinal tip of the drug delivery device,at least one annular space is created between said inner surface of themounting ring and said outer surface of the longitudinal tip, said atleast one annular space accommodates an adhesive layer to bond saidadaptor to said longitudinal tip.
 2. The adaptor according to claim 1,wherein the inner surface of the mounting ring comprises at least oneprotrusion wherein, with the adaptor mounted around the longitudinal tipof the drug delivery device, said at least one protrusion protrudes intosaid at least one annular space.
 3. The adaptor according to claim 2,wherein said at least one protrusion is chosen among, at least onecontinuous longitudinal rib, at least one segmented rib, transversalsegments, at least one diagonal rib, bulbs or cylinders, T or crosses.4. The adaptor according to claim 2, wherein the inner surface of themounting ring comprises protrusions in the form of longitudinal ribs. 5.The adaptor according to claim 2, wherein the inner surface of themounting ring comprises protrusions in the form of three longitudinalribs projecting from the inner surface of the mounting ring.
 6. Theadaptor according to claim 5, wherein the longitudinal ribs areregularly placed along a circumference of the inner surface.
 7. Theadaptor according to claim 4, wherein the longitudinal ribs extend onthe whole length of the mounting ring.
 8. The adaptor according to claim4, wherein the longitudinal ribs are continuous longitudinal ribs. 9.The adaptor according to claim 4, wherein the longitudinal ribs aresegmented longitudinal ribs.
 10. The adaptor according to claim 2,wherein the inner surface of the mounting ring comprises protrusions inthe form of transversal segments.
 11. The adaptor according to claim 2,wherein the inner surface of the mounting ring comprises protrusions inthe form of three diagonal ribs.
 12. The adaptor according to claim 2,wherein the inner surface of the mounting ring comprises protrusions inthe form of bulbs or cylinders.
 13. The adaptor according to claim 2,wherein the inner surface of the mounting ring comprises protrusions inthe form of T or crosses.
 14. The adaptor according to claim 1, whereinR1 being the radius of an inner diameter of the mounting ring and R2being the radius of an inner diameter of the annular ring, R1 beinggreater than R2, the inner surface of the mounting ring and a proximalwall of the annular ring define an inner annular recess of the mountingring, said inner annular recess being open at its proximal end andclosed at its distal end by the proximal wall of the annular ring, saidinner annular recess having a radius R3 corresponding to R1-R2, whereinR3 ranges from 0.3 to 0.5 mm.
 15. The adaptor according to claim 1,wherein said adaptor is made of rigid plastic.
 16. The adaptor accordingto claim 1, wherein said adaptor (130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630) consistsof a single piece of material.
 17. The adaptor according to claim 1,wherein said adaptor is made of a light-transmitting material.
 18. Adrug delivery device comprising an adaptor according to claim
 2. 19. Thedrug delivery device according to claim 18, wherein the adaptor isirreversibly bonded to the longitudinal tip by an adhesive layeraccommodated into the annular space.
 20. The drug delivery deviceaccording to claim 19, wherein the adhesive layer has a thickness of atleast 0.3 mm.
 21. The drug delivery device according to claim 19,wherein said adhesive layer covers an area of at least 20 mm² of theouter surface.
 22. The drug delivery device according to claim 19,wherein said at least one protrusion protrudes into said adhesive layer.23. The drug delivery device according to claim 18, wherein thelongitudinal tip does not have any mechanical attaching means such as anannular groove or a ring.
 24. The drug delivery device according toclaim 19, wherein the adaptor is exclusively bonded to the drug deliverydevice by the adhesive layer.
 25. The drug delivery device according toclaim 18, wherein the inner surface of the mounting ring issubstantially parallel to the outer surface of the longitudinal tip. 26.The drug delivery device according to claim 18, wherein the longitudinaltip is made of glass.